State of Mind Xbox One [Review]: Great ideas, sub-par execution

Cyberpunk science fiction works well in video games, and then I was excited to get my hands on Land of Listen and its dystopian futuristic setting. Unfortunately, the game has problems with storytelling that cause it to fall short of other works in this genre. That said, many of the narrative ideas are great, and Land of Mind is brought to life past its gorgeous presentation.

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Too many eggs in one basket

The chief character of Country of Mind is Richard Nolan, a controversial announcer who has risen to popularity by trying to uncover secrets about the government. Sardonic, sarcastic, and an overall wiggle, Richard is an interesting departure from the status quo of lovable protagonists of many other games. Land of Mind takes identify by and large in Berlin in 2048, a fourth dimension in which the world teeters on the brink due to destructive technological warfare.

Richard'southward personality and attitude take damaged his relationship with his family unit, and he fears that they've left him for good. Equally he investigates further, even so, he realizes that what'south actually going on is much darker than anything anyone could have imagined.

The plot sounds good, but Land of Mind'southward artificial intelligence (AI) robots, armed conflicts over dwindling resources, invasive surveillance systems, and efforts to colonize Mars all make the writing feel dislocated. The themes of transhumanism, class conflict, and security versus privacy are nifty, just none of them can exist fully explored when they're crammed together into a unmarried feel.

When it comes to the gameplay mechanics, the majority of the title is a walking simulator where you interact with non-player characters (NPCs) and items to unravel the story. There are some fun minigames here and there, and these aid to break upwardly the monotony of constant dialogue so you won't get bored during long play sessions.

Low-poly beauty

Visually, State of Mind is stunning, both in an artistic and thematic sense. Not just does the low-polygon art way look unique compared to everything else on the market, it too suits the game's themes. The athwart appearance of the characters and globe gives off a techno-futuristic vibe, which is perfect for Country of Mind's tech-driven dystopian atmosphere.

The score is bright, every bit well, blending piano and synthesizer together to build a soundtrack that embodies the idea of humanity going too far with their technological discoveries. Lastly, the game ran flawlessly on my Xbox I, with nothing framerate drops or screen hitches.

Should you buy Land of Listen?

If yous're looking for a top-notch cyberpunk story, yous won't observe it with State of Heed. It isn't bad, merely it definitely isn't great, either. If that'southward a bargain-beaker, pass on information technology or wait for a sale. If you're able to look past the lack of a stiff central story, though, you lot'll be left with a gorgeous game congenital on some splendid (albeit underutilized) narrative foundations. If that sounds good to you, than you should buy State of Mind one hundred percent.

Pros:

• Amazing presentation and performance.
• Splendid narrative concepts.

Cons:

• Central story is unfocused and defective.

State of Mind is available now on Xbox One for $39.99.

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Ane of the greats

Xbox legend Shannon Loftis retires from Microsoft after 29 years

Shannon Loftis announced her retirement from Microsoft today, after 29 years with the company. Loftis has been with Xbox for decades, having built franchises like Fable, Banjo Kazooie, and many more than, and recently revived Age of Empires from its long sleep.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/state-mind-xbox-one-review-compelling-universe-disjointed-narrative

Posted by: hernandezplingers.blogspot.com

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